Show-case.



. No. 7|o,99a.

Patented oct. 14, |902.

F. PoLLABn, m.

snow cAsE. (Application led Feb. 17, 1902.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No-Nudel.)

i Patented Oct. I4, |902.

No. .7l0,998.

F. PoLLAnn, m.

S H 0W C A S E.

(Application led Feb. 17, 1902.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

Vlvz e S46 e6 49. www

Nonms vfrzkscn., PHoTo-Umo.. wAsmNaTu. u. c.

FRED POLIIARD, JR., OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SHOW-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,998, dated October 14, 1902. Application filed February 17,1902. vSerial No. 94,400, (No model.)

To all whom it muy concern:

Be it known that I, FRED POLLARD, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and. State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Show-Cases, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In many show-'cases known as all-glass cases the plates of glass are fastened together by means of small clips or cleats and bolts, which necessitates drilling holes in the glass. These holes must be located with considerable accuracy, and a construction involving their use renders the glass liable to be broken when the parts are being assembled. Such constructions are indeed never strong, from the fact that all the strain may be concentrated at a single point. Remembering that shoppers frequently lean heavily upon show-cases, this strain will evidently be considerable and must be anticipated.

The object of my invention is to produce a show-case which can be constructed substantially entirely of glass and provided with improved means for fastening its plates, so that it presents the same appearance and has all the advantages of an all-glass case. At the same time it distributes the strains safely and is simple and inexpensive.

In the drawings which fully illustrate my invention, Figure l represents a transverse vertical cross-section from front to back of the case, which, however, is represented as broken away so as to exhibit all four corners. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken at one end of the case, the same being broken, as indicated. Fig. 3 represents in perspective a fastening-strip which is used largely in the construction of the case for connecting glass to glass. Fig. d is a perspective view.

Referring to the parts by letters, A represents a suitable base, preferably made of wood, which at its rear is secured in any suitable manner to an upright back B. This back is constructed substantially as shown, comprising uprights I) at the ends of the case and bottom and top members h extending longitudinally of the case. The outer faces of the end members I) are provided with vertical fastening-strips O, which are secured to them in any suitable manner, as by tacks or small nails b4, and to the rear face of these end members b are fastened in like manner the cleats D, which project out from the back, as indicated in Fig. 2, and are provided with marginal anges CZ. The upper face b3 of the memberb' is similarly provided with a similar fastening-strip O, which extends longitudi- 'nallyvof the case toapoint near the ends thereof, and another of the cleats D is secured to the rear face of this member in the same mannerasthe aforesaid side cleats D. The fastening-strips O are preferably made of thin sheet metal and provided with longitudin al ribs c, formed integrally therewith, as shown, and these ribs c are adapted to be received by grooves or recesses in the plates of the case in a manner which will appear. The ends of the case, which consist, as shown, of plates of glass E, are rabbeted along their vertical rear edge, as indicated at e, to engage with the liange d of the cleats D, and these plates are further provided on their inner faces with vertical grooves c' e2, which lie, respectively, near their rear and front edges. The former of these grooves is adapted to receive the rib c of the upright fastening-strip O. Fastening-strips O, which are provided with longitudinal ribs c2, similar to the aforesaid ribs c, are further provided with improved means for securing them to the edges of the glass plates, wherefore the ribs c2 may proj ect into coperatin g grooves in the adjoining plate. For this purpose the edges of these strips O are preferably provided with outwardly-projecting anges c, which are adapted to receive the edge of a plate between them and clasp the same, as indicated. The front plate F is provided on its upper and vertical edges, as indicated, with these strips O', and the ribs c2 of these strips on the vertical edges project, as indicated, into the grooves e2, with which the aforesaid end plates E are provided. In a similar manner adjoining plates of glass are vconnected throughout the entire case. The vertical plates are held in place at the lower edges by moldings ct d', which are fastened to the face A of the case, and as the side plates project to a small extent beyond the front plate it is necessary to insert a filler-strip d2 between the molding ce' and the front plate F. In this manner these plates are securely held at their bases. The upper edges of all the vertical plates are similarly provided with the fastening-strips C', and the top plate G is provided with grooves g in its lower surface near its edges, which respectively receive the ribs c c2. At its rear it is provided with a rabbet g', engaged by the aforesaid ange d. It is unnecessary to secure this top plate immovably; but its weight maintains it in the position shown. However, to prevent the entrance of dust within the case and to reduce the liability of the glass to be broken I provide all the joints with strips H of felt or similar soft packing, as indicated. In this manner a very simple but strong and durable show-case is produced, and it will appear from the above that the front plates and side plates coperate to maintain each other rigidly in place and secure the top plate against being slid out of position, while at the same time the top plate prevents effectually any possibility of a lateral movement of any of the vertical plates at their upper edges.

If desired, the grooves in the plates may be filled with cement or similar material around the ribs, so that the plates are fastened together permanently.

What I claim isl. In a show-case, the combination with the base, of side plates, a front plate and a top plate, of strips provided with means for secu ring them to the edges of the plates, and means whereby said strips will engage the faces abutted, substantially as described.

2. In a show-case, the combination with the base, of a back, of plates forming the front sides and top, cleats secured to said back retaining the side plates and top plate in position, suitable means for retaining the edges of said side plates and said front plate upon the base, strips provided with flanges for engagement upon the edges of said plates, ribs provided upon said strips for retaining said plates in proper position, substantially as described.

3. In a show-case, the combination with the base and back, of side, front and top plates, of means for retaining the edges of said side plates and front plate in position npon the base, strips provided upon the edges of abutting plates, suitable grooves in the abutted plates, and means whereby said strips may engage said grooves, substantially as described.

4. In a show-case, the combination with the base and back, of side, front and top plates, means for retaining the edges of the side and front plates in position upon the base, strips adapted to engage the edges of said plates, ribs provided upon said strips, ribs provided upon said back, and grooves provided in said plates for engaging said ribs, substantially as described.

5. In a show-case, the combination with the base and back, of side, front and top plates, means for retaining the edges of the side and front plates in position upon the base, of strips adapted to engage the edges of said plates, ribs provided upon said strips, ribs provided upon said back,grooves provided in said plates for engaging said ribs, and cleats secured to said back for retaining the said plates in position, substantially as described.

6. In a showcase, the combination with the base and back, of side7 front and top plates, means for retaining said side plates and front plate in position upon the base, ianged strips provided upon the edges of said plates, ribs provided upon said strips, ribs provided upon said back, grooves in said plates adapted to engage said ribs` cleats upon said back for retaining the sides and top in position, and suitable packing between the abutting surfaces of ithe plates and of the plates and the back, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRED POLLARD, JR.

Witnesses:

F. D. AMMEN, N. L. BRESNAN. 

